The meeting adjourns a little while later, with no additional useful information coming to light. So we’re right back where we started—with no answers.
We have allies, but do not know how to reach them. We see the signs, but don’t know if they foretell how quickly the war will be upon us. Magic is still not regenerating, and we do not know how to solve it.
My frustration begins rising, and the stress of what this means for our future weighs down my shoulders. How can I stop any of this if I don’t know where to go from here? I turn to my friends, a divot forming between my brows.
“While we’re all here, Mina and Evander, I’d like to assign you guys new roles. Tane is in charge of housing, and Mathilda volunteered to set up a school. So I was wondering if I could put you in charge of our food storage, Mina?”
Mina’s eyes sparkle, and she grins broadly at me. “Of course.”
“Thank you,” I breathe. “Evander, do you think you could scout out places for training grounds? It might be a bit presumptuous of me, but I’d like to think we’ll eventually need more spaces for training.”
Evander nods enthusiastically. “I can do that.”
I exhale fully. “Well, with that settled, then, let’s go through some of these books and see if we can find anything about our allies, magic, or enemies.”
We split up and begin scouring the shelves. I trail a hand along the rows of books, marveling at how better-stocked this library is compared to the one in the Great Hall. But it still seems limited in areas I would expect it to flourish.
Why are there no genealogy texts on the Valkyrie’s lineage? And how many books on worship practices does one need?
The last thought, coupled with my earlier thoughts on the holidays, causes me to pause.
“Lachlan,” I call between the stacks.
“Over here!” he answers. I follow the sound of his voice to the west end of the library. He’s surrounded by tomes of battle strategies.
“What do you think about observing the holidays again?” I ask, my brow furrowing.
His head tilts to the side. “Can ye be more specific?”
“It’s June, and I haven’t heard anyone talk about Midsommar preparations,” I reply. Traditions were such a huge part of my life with my parents. Giving thanks and recognizing the gods was a way to connect to the world around you. “We have to celebrate Midsommar this year.”
“Okay … why?” he asks, staring at me like I’ve grown two heads.
“Observing holidays is a perfect way to connect to the magic and the world around you. Traditions are very important and can help create a lasting foundation. I want my reign to be peaceful and fruitful. We need to observe all the olde ways, not just the training, and we will start with Midsommar.”
“I will tell Agatha to begin making preparations then, but ye realize Midsommar is next week. That’s not a lot of time,” he mutters and slides a book from the shelf. I clear my throat when he begins reading the book.
“Do ye mean right now?” he asks.
I nod, giving him my best smile. “Yes, please.”
Lachlan leaves to track down Agatha, and I continue browsing the stacks. As luck would have it, there are a few tomes about the other realms, Helheim and Jotnar. It’s not beneficial for restoring our magic, but I know next to nothing about the other realms, so this will still be helpful.
Grabbing the books, I make my way to the leather couch by the fireplace and flip through the first one, Helheim. Locatedthe farthest from the Gods Realm, it’s ruled by Hela and swarming with various terrifying creatures. Images of the different types of demons stare up at me from the pages and I shudder.
A particularly grotesque rendering of a foot soldier causes me to pause and study its mottled gray skin and black hollow pits for eyes.
“That’s not terrifying,” I say under my breath.
But Mina leans over the back of my couch and points at the picture. “They look scary, but they’re only bad in numbers.”
I stare up at my friend with my mouth open. “You’ve fought these things?” I gape.
Mina shakes her head. “No, but my mother did.” Her eyes are empty, and I realize it’s not a good memory she’s dragged up for my benefit. Quietly closing the book, I set it down.
Mina shivers before muttering, “I didn’t realize I might have some useful information. It’s not something I tend to think about.” Apologies bloom in her eyes.
But I shake my head. “It’s okay, I’m sure there are plenty of things I haven’t been able to tell you guys yet.”
